For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Timothy Hanlon Takes Over Today as New Whitman Police Chief

Joseph Bombardier New Deputy Chief of Department

WHITMAN — The Whitman Police Department is pleased to announce that Timothy P. Hanlon will begin his new role as the department’s chief today following the retirement of Chief Scott D. Benton yesterday.

In addition, Sgt. Joseph Bombardier will replace Hanlon as the department’s deputy chief.

“I am thrilled to take over as the new Whitman Police chief and am honored to be following in the footsteps of my dear friend Chief Benton,” Chief Hanlon said. “I have worked for the Whitman Police Department for nearly 20 years and I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence and high-quality service that this department is known for. In addition, I wish Chief Benton all the best in his retirement.”

Chief Hanlon began his career in law enforcement as an emergency dispatcher for the

Hanover Police Department. He was a special police officer for the Hanover Police from 1998-2000 before being hired as a patrolman for the Whitman Police Department.

Since joining WPD, Chief Hanlon worked his way up the ranks and has held several positions in the department including: drug officer, detective, detective sergeant, court prosecutor and shift supervisor. He was named deputy chief in 2012.

Chief Hanlon is a Hanover native and graduated from Hanover High School in 1985. He attained his associate’s degree from Massasoit Community College and a bachelor’s degree in criminology from Bridgewater State College. During his senior year at Bridgewater State in 1991, he did an internship with the Whitman Police Department. He also holds a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Western New England College.

In 2014, he attended the FBI National Academy.

Chief Hanlon has several areas of specialized training and certifications including, street crimes, surveillance techniques, sex crimes, drug investigations, managing property and evidence, background investigations, RAD, RAD Kids and other areas of expertise.

He has also been a karate instructor with the Hanover Police Boys Club since 1989 and teaches martial arts to children and adults.

Chief Hanlon has been married to his wife Lori for 25 years and they have a son, Connor, age 22, and daughter, Allison, age 18. The family has lived in Whitman for the past 25 years.

Deputy Chief Bombardier joined the Whitman Police Department in 1999 as an auxiliary police officer. He was appointed to be a reserve officer in 2001 and was hired as a full-time officer in 2004 after graduating from the Municipal Police Officers Class.

In 2007, Bombardier was promoted to the rank of sergeant and was the supervisor of the day shift. In 2010, he was promoted to detective sergeant, a position he held until becoming deputy chief.

“I am very grateful to have been appointed to be the next deputy chief for the Whitman Police Department,” Deputy Chief Bombardier said. “Working for my hometown police department is a dream come true and I am humbled to be able to continue to serve the community I grew up in.”

Deputy Chief Bombardier has been married to his wife Kim for 28 years and they have three children together, Aimee, Thomas and Sarah. He is a lifelong Whitman resident and graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in 1981. Prior to pursuing a career in law enforcement, he worked at Reebok for 19 years.

Both men take over their new roles following the retirement of Chief Benton after a 33-year career in law enforcement, including the last seven years as chief.

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